Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX vs Subaru Impreza 22B STI — Which A Class AWD vs AWD Is Better in FH6?
Two very different approaches to going fast. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX is AWD with 286 hp, the Subaru Impreza 22B STI is AWD with 276 hp. Here's which one wins — and why.
Putting the Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX against the Subaru Subaru Impreza 22B STI is one of those comparisons that doesn't have a clean answer until you've run real laps back to back. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX puts down 286 hp from a 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 (4G63), weighs 1,410 kg, and drives the AWD wheels. The Subaru Impreza 22B STI counters with 276 hp from a 2.2L Turbo Flat-4, tipping the scales at 1,270 kg through the AWD wheels. On paper they look close enough that you'd think it comes down to preference. It doesn't — I've tested both extensively and the gaps are real, sometimes surprising, sometimes exactly where you'd expect.
In FH6 specifically, these two cars interact with the updated physics engine very differently. The tire model changes, the weight transfer rework, the differential behavior — all of it shifts the balance between AWD and AWD in ways that weren't true in FH5. I spent a full evening hot-lapping both on the same circuits back to back, and what I found changed which one I'd recommend depending on what you're trying to achieve.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX — The Mitsubishi Contender
286 hp and 1,410 kg make for an interesting power-to-weight ratio. This is the kind of car that makes you look for the long way home.
In the dry, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX's AWD system hooks up early on corner exit — you can stand on the throttle a full beat before the RWD cars and just drive around the outside. Rain transforms the equation entirely. On the Forest Rally circuit during a downpour, the front axle digs into standing water and finds purchase where rear-drive cars are hydroplaning toward the barrier. You'll feel a gentle push on corner entry in fast sweepers like the Lake District esses, but a slight throttle lift shifts weight forward and the nose tucks back in. The car never snaps; it communicates through the wheel rim with a progressive lightening that says 'ease off' rather than screaming it.
Full Specs — Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 6.5 | Monster on the straights, will walk most cars in its class |
| Handling | 8.0 | A bit of understeer at the limit, but easily fixed with a sway bar tweak |
| Acceleration | 7.2 | Turbo lag is minimal, boost comes on smooth and early in the rev range |
| Launch | 8.5 | Sticky tires and good weight transfer make for consistently strong launches |
| Braking | 7.2 | Stops shorter than the numbers suggest. The aero package helps more than you'd think |
| Off-Road | 7.0 | It'll do it, but you won't enjoy it. The car won't either |
| PI (Stock) | 710 | Respectable A class. Punches above its PI in the right hands |
Pros & Cons — Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
Pros
- Tire wear is surprisingly good. Can push hard for longer stints
- Cockpit view is gorgeous and well-modeled. Immersion factor is off the charts
- Stability under braking is remarkable — the rear end stays planted
Cons
- A bit one-dimensional. Excels at one thing, mediocre at everything else
- Understeer on corner entry when you carry too much speed. Trail braking helps but doesn't cure it
- Fuel consumption is rough in longer races. Plan your pit strategy accordingly
Best Events — Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road Racing | A-Tier | Strong choice. Not quite meta-defining, but you'll podium consistently with it. |
| Street Scene | A-Tier | Does everything right. Not the flashiest pick, but it delivers lap after lap. |
| Speed Zones | B-Tier | Usable, not optimal. You can win with it, but you're working harder than the competition. |
| Speed Traps | C-Tier | Can be made to work with a dedicated tune, but honestly why bother when other cars exist. |
| Drift Zones | C-Tier | Not its natural habitat. Bring it here for fun, not for wins. |
| Dirt Racing | A-Tier | Very capable. A few setup tweaks away from being truly elite. |
Subaru Impreza 22B STI — The Subaru Contender
The Holy Grail of JDM rally cars — only 424 ever built, wide-body WRC homologation special with a 2.2L turbo boxer that defined a generation.
The Subaru Impreza 22B STI's steering is honest, not chatty. It tells you what you need to know — when the front tires are approaching their limit — without the constant stream of surface detail that some RWD cars transmit. On a controller, the impulse triggers activate progressively; a light buzz means 'approaching limit,' full vibration means 'you're already understeering, fix it.' On a wheel, dial the rotation to 540 degrees. The factory 900-degree setting makes the car feel lazy on turn-in because the steering ratio was designed for real-world speeds, not FH6's arcade-leaning physics. Once you find the right wheel setting, the car's communication improves dramatically.
Full Specs — Subaru Impreza 22B STI
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 6.5 | Good for B class, short gearing limits top end |
| Handling | 8.0 | Wide track + low weight = go-kart agility |
| Acceleration | 7.2 | Turbo boxer punches above its rating |
| Launch | 8.0 | AWD grip makes launching easy and consistent |
| Braking | 7.0 | Good for B class but upgrade to modern brakes soon |
| Off-Road | 7.0 | WRC champion DNA — outstanding on loose surfaces |
| PI (Stock) | 680 | B class, huge upgrade headroom to A/S1 |
Pros & Cons — Subaru Impreza 22B STI
Pros
- Only 424 real cars built — one of the rarest JDM icons in FH6
- 1,270 kg — incredibly light and responsive on any surface
- Wide-body WRC styling makes it one of the best-looking Imprezas
Cons
- Gentleman's Agreement limited to 276 hp (actual output higher)
- Short gearing means highway pulls are not its strength
- Stock EJ22 engine needs forged internals for high-boost builds
Best Events — Subaru Impreza 22B STI
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt Racing (B/A) | S-Tier | WRC champion — its natural habitat |
| Road Racing (B) | A-Tier | Lightweight AWD makes it a competent tarmac racer |
| Cross Country | A-Tier | Rally suspension handles the rough stuff |
| Street Scene | B-Tier | Better on dirt but holds its own on asphalt |
| Drift Zones (Dirt) | A-Tier | AWD powerslides on loose surfaces are sublime |
| Speed Traps | C-Tier | Not built for top speed — wrong tool for the job |
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Spec | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | Subaru Impreza 22B STI |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Handling | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Acceleration | 7.2 | 7.2 |
| Launch | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| Braking | 7.2 | 7.0 |
| Off-Road | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| PI (Stock) | 710 | 680 |
Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?
Here's the honest answer after testing both cars back to back on the same circuits. The "better" car depends entirely on what you're driving for.
Pick the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX if: you prioritize cornering precision over straight-line speed. you want consistent launches and all-weather grip. you're building for a specific PI bracket and want the best car per point.
Pick the Subaru Impreza 22B STI if: you prioritize cornering precision over straight-line speed. you want consistent launches and all-weather grip. you're building for a specific PI bracket and want the best car per point.
If I could only keep one, I'd pick the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. Both are competitive in the A class meta though, and either one will podium consistently if you build it right. My advice: test both at the Autoshow, run a few laps on your favorite circuit, and trust the stopwatch. The numbers don't lie — even when your heart wants them to.
How to Get Each Car
Autoshow listing: 28,000 CR. Not cheap, but name another car in this class at this price.
Featured in JDM and rally Festival Playlist events regularly.
Rare Wheelspin drop — ~0.5% chance.